Page 150 of Booked on You
“I am, too.”
After we clean up, I crawl back into bed with her, pulling the covers over us. Scarlett swings her leg over mine and snuggles into me like she fits there. Eventually, her breathing evens out, and I know she’s close to sleep.
“I’ve waited my whole life to find you,” she whispers into the night.
“I have, too. You’re my forever, Scar. And one day, when you’re ready, I’m going to make you my wife.”
“That a promise?” she asks, smiling against my chest.
“Damn right it is,” I say. She lets out a contented sigh, and within minutes, she’s asleep.
I lie there, watching her in the moonlight.
Willow jumps on the end of the bed and immediately starts purring.
For the first time since Scarlett left, I fall asleep without a care in the world, knowing she’ll be here in the morning.
CHAPTER 33
SCARLETT
The fairy lights that I hung last week glow in the early morning light. Ezra installed several bookshelves that I’ve already filled with dog-eared and annotated copies of my favorite classic romance novels. A fuzzy cream-colored throw blanket lives on the back of my chair. Anytime my eyes wander around the space, I take it in with gratitude. I’m convinced happiness like this should be illegal. Months ago, it’s hard to believe how lost I was. After pulling myself out of that hell, I’m dangerously unstoppable. I believe I can accomplish anything I put my mind to because I did it.
I open my laptop and launch my word processor. After reading the last few sentences of what I wrote yesterday, I continue on. My fingers fly across the keys as Sasha, my musician heroine, argues with her record label manager. The premise is as foreign to me as it is forbidden. This is the sexy romance I’ve always wanted to write. It’s nothing like my other works because it’s not based on my life in any way, but it doesn’t mean parts of me aren’t sprinkled inside. I’ve already warned Ezra that people will speculate, and I think he just enjoys knowing my secrets are hidden in plain sight. The parts of me only he knows. My publisher is excited, and so am I. This projectis sexier, flirtier, and fun in a way that has allowed my soul to rest. No more emotional tolls for me, please. I’d like to not bleed on the page for a little while.
For the next hour, I sip my coffee and let the words pour out of me. Being here feels good; it feels right in ways that are hard to explain. My creative well is overflowing, and I’m almost overwhelmed by the rate at which ideas are coming to me. A part of me believed once I was in love and in a healthy relationship, I’d have nothing to write about. But the truth is, I get to keep writing happily ever afters while I live mine. Ezra told me this space was where his mother used to do her pottery, and he knew it belonged to me the moment I opened the door. I believe there’s magic in these blush-pink walls. It’s a personal honor to be able to use it in a way I think she’d appreciate.
Just as I wrap up a paragraph, my phone buzzes on the desk. I glance down and see a text from Hallie.
Hallie
I’m going to murder Landon. I swear I’m going to tell him exactly where he needs to go. I hate him! I HATE HIM!
I chuckleand text her back.
Scarlett
It’s too early for all this.
Hallie
RIGHT! That’s what I said! That ASSHOLE showed up to MY office first thing this morning because he had a meeting about his upcoming photo shoot for another cover. This jerk had the audacity to critique the pose direction I suggested. Like he’s suddenly an expert on book covers. He’s a MODEL. His job is to look pretty and shut the actual fuck up.
Scarlett
Hal, you say you hate him every week.
Hallie
This time I really mean it. He embarrassed me in front of my boss! He’s a total prick and I can’t stand him and I can’t escape him either!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Scarlett
That many exclamation points is actually offensive. Guess there is a limit.
Hallie
And I HATE that he looks like THAT while being such an ASSHOLE. It’s just unfair.
